Delayed Concussion Symptoms

January 15, 2025 | Sagi Shaked | Brain Injuries

Concussions are a common yet often misunderstood type of brain injury. Symptoms can sometimes take hours or even days to appear, complicating diagnosis and treatment. If you have recently been involved in an accident or suffered a head injury, it’s vital to understand why delayed concussion symptoms may happen and what to watch for.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a blow to the head or a jarring motion that forces the brain to move rapidly within the skull. This sudden movement can damage brain cells and cause chemical changes in the brain.

Every year, there are up to 3.8 million traumatic brain injuries in the United States, about 75% of which are mild TBIs or concussions. Almost one-third of people will experience a concussion at some point in their lives. While concussions are typically considered mild, they can lead to serious, long-term consequences if not properly treated.

What Causes Most Concussion Injuries?

Concussions can result from various types of accidents, including:

Car accidents and other motor vehicle accidents. Sudden stops or collisions can cause the head to jolt forward, leading to a concussion.
Slip and fall accidents, which are especially common among older adults and young children.
Sports injuries. Contact sports like football, soccer, and hockey are frequent causes. Sports cause an estimated 10% of all brain injuries but more than 20% of concussions in children and adolescents.
Assault. Physical violence can lead to head trauma.
Workplace accidents. Falls, falling objects, crashes, and injuries to heavy equipment are common causes in industrial jobs.

According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries, accounting for nearly 50% of all TBI-related emergency room visits in the U.S.

The Symptoms of a Concussion May Be Delayed

Many people expect concussion symptoms to appear immediately after an injury. However, this isn’t always the case. According to one study, about one-quarter of athletes who suffer a concussion have delayed symptoms.

Factors that can influence delayed symptoms include:

Shock or adrenaline. These natural responses can mask pain and other symptoms.
Secondary brain damage. Even mild brain damage from a concussion can trigger a cascade of chemical changes in the brain. These changes can worsen the damage or cause symptoms on their own. Sometimes concussion symptoms aren’t necessarily delayed but the result of this secondary damage.
Altered perception. A common symptom of a concussion is confusion or altered perception. This can make it difficult for someone to recognize the symptoms they are experiencing, including confusion or memory loss.
Age and health conditions. Older adults and those with pre-existing conditions may have delayed or atypical symptom presentations.

Brain injuries are complex, and symptoms are difficult to predict. Because these injuries change how the brain functions, it’s common for symptoms to change, worsen, or appear in the hours and days after the injury.

Common Delayed Concussion Symptoms

While some concussion symptoms are more likely to appear initially, others are more likely to develop gradually or over time.

Headaches or migraines. Persistent or worsening headaches often emerge hours after the injury. People who have delayed symptoms are more likely to experience post-concussion migraines.
Dizziness and balance issues. These symptoms can become noticeable after standing or moving.
Fatigue. Delayed fatigue is common as the brain struggles to recover.
Memory problems. Difficulty recalling recent events and the injury itself may appear after a delay.
Impaired sense of time. In the days following a concussion, many people have impaired temporal processing. It may seem like time is moving slower or faster than normal. Events that happened the day before may seem like they occurred weeks ago.
Emotional changes. Irritability, anxiety, or mood swings may take time to surface.
Sleep disturbances. Trouble falling or staying asleep often arises after the injury.
Sensitivity to light (photophobia) or noise (phonophobia). These issues may not develop until a few days later. About half of people experience one or both sensitivities after a concussion.

Delayed recognition of these symptoms can lead to complications, especially if you continue working, driving, or participating in sports.

What To Do After a Head Injury

If you suspect a concussion, take the following steps to protect your health and any potential injury claim.

Seek immediate medical attention. Even if symptoms are not apparent, a healthcare provider can evaluate you for injury and recommend precautions. Prompt medical care also documents your head injury if you need to make a claim, particularly if your symptoms worsen.
Rest and monitor symptoms. Avoid physical and mental exertion to allow your brain to recover.
Document symptoms. Keep a record of any changes or delayed symptoms to share with your doctor.
Get help from family or friends. Even if you do not need help with care or chores around the house, it’s a good idea to have people keep an eye on you for at least the first few days. They can watch for symptoms or changes that you may not recognize in yourself.
Avoid certain activities. Refrain from sports, driving, or activities that could lead to another head injury until cleared by a doctor.

You should also consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible if your concussion was caused by someone else.

Recovering From a Concussion

Recovery timelines vary depending on the individual and the severity of the injury. For most people, symptoms resolve within 7 to 10 days. However, some may experience prolonged symptoms, a condition known as post-concussion syndrome (PCS).

PCS occurs in about 10% of concussion cases and can last weeks, months, or even longer. Symptoms may often include chronic headaches, difficulty concentrating, emotional instability, and sensitivity to light and sound.

Risk factors for PCS include:

A history of prior concussions
Pre-existing or previous mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression
Severe initial concussion symptoms
Older adults
Females

Proper care, including physical and cognitive rest, can improve outcomes. In some cases, therapy, such as vestibular rehabilitation or counseling, may be needed to address specific symptoms.

A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help if You’re Dealing With Delayed Concussion Symptoms

Concussions are not always immediately obvious. Delayed symptoms make it essential to stay vigilant after a head injury.

If you or a loved one has suffered a concussion due to an accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the responsible party. This can mitigate the financial strain of your injury by compensating for your lost wages, medical bills, and other losses.

A personal injury attorney can help you protect your rights and recover fair compensation after a concussion. Schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case and get personalized legal advice.

Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Miami, FL

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Miami, FL and need legal help, contact our Miami personal injury lawyers at Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.

Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers
20900 NE 30th Ave Suite 715
Aventura, FL 33180
(305) 937-0191